Used 2008 Saab 9-5 Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used 9-5 for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Hopefully the SECRET will live on...
MD, 07/16/2009
2008 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Saab after needing a sedan to mate with my Suburban that achieves a more corporate style, without going over the top. I have had my eye on the 9-5 for years. This is the best SECRET car buy out there. Like other reviewers, I was able to get mine at a great price and although it lacks some refinement, this is a great car. Highway driving I get 30mpg and in the curves it is a fun car to drive. My wife drives a Volvo XC70, which we love for its utility and space with two children and a dog, but the Saab has it beat! The Suburban is a living room on wheels with 4WD; great for trips and the outdoors. The Saab is just plain FUN and I get compliments all the time.
An outstanding Swede
Dan Sim, 10/22/2010
2008 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I have had 17 Saabs of all variants since 1966. The Aero is the fastest safest and the most attractive of all. It has all the useful gadgets with out too much trendy clutter. audio is outstanding. The 235x17 tires, P6, are a bit noisy is a compromise for great performance. I am happy to get the final version of the 9000-95 evolution.I have had 2 of each. The orig. 86 9000T, a 91 9000T, a 01 95t Arc and now the 98 Aero. The 2.3 turbo remains a great motor, better than most 50% above its size. The Aero joins my 07 93, 74 Sonnett,73 96 v-4 and 68 96 v-4 in the driveway.
2008 Saab 9-5 for sale near you
Showing 3 of 5 listings
- Aero SportCombi WagonMSRP: $3,4951,114 mi away
- SportCombi WagonMSRP: $4,9901,140 mi away
- Aero SedanMSRP: $7,9991,366 mi away
See all 5 listings
Money Pit
Lindsey, 02/08/2016
2008 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
We purchased the car used at 85,000 miles (only 1 previous owner listed on the car facts, and all maintenance up to date.) We thought the car would be a good value for the price ($8999 before taxes.) The dealer told us up front that SAAB went under and that any new parts would have to be purchased out of the country, and he also told us of a couple of SAAB dealerships that were still operating in our area. Great! We test drove it, and fell in love with the luxury of the seats, the sun roof, the Boise surround sound system (super awesome sound system,) and the Turbo pick up and go. We loved it! After our purchase, things started falling apart. The headlights started going out, the circuit to the headlights started separating from the circuit board and had to be re-soldered on. By 98,000 miles, the car started idling rough. No sooner did that occur, then the car completely died while my husband was driving on the freeway!! He was able to eventually get the car to start again and drive off of the freeway, only to have it die again on the street. We called AAA, and by the time the tow truck arrived, the battery completely died out. We got it to a mechanic, who recommended a new transmission. Our dealer was able to locate a refurbished transmission with a 6 month warranty, and $1600 later, the car's check engine light pops back on. Oh, and the loaner car that our awesome dealer let us borrow during the transmission fix was a 2007 Saab 9-5 which also had check lights flashing on it's display. "Check Headlights," "Check oil," "Check Tire Pressure." Needless to say, we aren't very impressed with the durability of the SAAB engine, transmission or electronics.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Hidden Secret
john, 07/08/2008
2008 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
This is a great car that no one knows about. I've owned BMW, Audi and VW, and the Saab, for the money, beats them all! GM should leverage this company for more of its designs in this fuel conscious age. After incentives, etc., this car is nearly $17,000 less than a BMW or Audi! Plus it has a GREAT warranty and nice options. If you want a nameplate, look elsewhere, but anyone that wants a solid and practical car should look at SAAB. I just wish GM would market them better!!
Saab -> Better than the best
Yuriy klimin, 01/27/2018
2008 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
One of the best vehicles, no bull. I am a mechanic shop owner and dealership. Yes, there are some quirks but who is perfect? My best advise it to use fully synthetic oil and best gasoline possible. Otherwise, reliable and fun. It's like Honda but wih European behavior.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Underrated
Artic White , 02/15/2008
2008 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Had the car for 2 months now. Live in a snowy area, and there's just something about solid driving in snow while rear-wheel drive BMWs are sliding all around you. To me, there's something about a saab where it can be a driver's car and a passenger's car at the same time. I think that's a unique quality. A blast to drive, but doesn't make my passengers get headaches like in cars with really stiff suspensions.
Great performer but lots of noises
steve G, 03/31/2008
2008 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is my 5th Saab. Very comfortable, fun to drive. Just completed a 300 mile trip and got an honest 32 mpg. The only problem are the various rattles and chirps which come and go. Dealer can't seem to fix them. Had the same issue with my 2006 95. If little rattles annoy you, you'd better go elsewhere. otherwise a lot of car for the money.
The BEAST
J Dubs, 05/21/2019
2008 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
It’s sad to see so many people crying about Saab going bankrupt when it was communist GM who ran one of the great European auto makers into the ground. Got mine used with 40k and it’s been a blast. Reliable with a few quirks, but unbelievably fun at high speeds on winding roads. Good looking. Beats a mean wife by a thousand miles...
- Safety
- Performance
- Reliability
My 5th Saab Is A Real Winner
John, 10/21/2008
2008 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
After owning four Saab 900 through 9-3 convertibles, I thought (actually my kids thought) it was time for a change. Something about no rear legroom. My new 9-5 is a gem and as rare as can be equipped with a smooth shifting five speed manual transmission. It's the perfect combination with the powerful 2.3L turbo. I love to drive this vehicle! I test drove a BMW 5 series and was very unhappy with the feel of the manual transmission and the amount of room inside. For the price I paid, I could not have done better. I smile every time I open the door. If you are looking at a near luxury vehicle - do yourself a favor and test drive the Saab 9-5 sedan or wagon.
9-5, nice
BD, 06/04/2009
2008 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The 9-5 is a roomy sedan, with a comfortable ride. A lot of the features of a much more expensive car. Silver snow metallic paint in conjunction with wheels looks sharp. Nice car.
Excellent car, great time to buy!
Ed T, 06/09/2009
2008 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I am extremely pleased with my new 2008 Saab 9-5. With all of the rebates that GM is currently offering on new 2008's and a little negotiation, I was able to snag mine for under $24k, which is a STEAL for a car like this. After driving this car for a month, I couldn't be happier. The 260hp turbo engine makes highway driving a blast, and the car handles very nicely in town. I can understand the harsh reviews given a $40k msrp and the quality of interior materials for a car in this price range, but for $24k I think you'd be hard-pressed to find fault.
Was nice until Saab went bankrupt
labluebabe, 07/16/2012
2008 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 31 people found this review helpful
40k MSRP new, its lost $27k trade in value in 4 years. Thanks for going bankrupt SAAB, now our car is near worthless and we're upside down on the loan! There are no replacement parts, there are no authorized service dealerships in the USA anymore, and there's nobody who is willing to buy this car off us at a reasonable price (because it's unreasonable to want a car that you won't be able to fix when something breaks). It drove fine, has quite a few features but it's become an antique in just 4 years. All the new cars out now have nice touchscreens and bluetooth and backup cameras.